Model of Darjeeling locomotive tees up victory in LSK auction

BEYER Peacock of Manchester produced some mighty steam locomotives during its 112-year history, but it also turned out much smaller ones.

One such was an 0-4-0+0-4-0 Garratt built in 1910 for the 2ft gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Such is the line’s iconic status that a 32mm scale model of the D class engine, which was numbered 31 by the railway, outsold all else with a top bid of £3500 in a Lacy Scott & Knight railwayana and collectors’ models auction on December 17.

The gas-powered radio-controlled model was made by Roundhouse Engineering, of Doncaster, as were two other Darjeeling Railway models also in 32mm scale that featured in the leading realisations – Class B 0-4-0ST Nos. 782 and 804, each at £1450.

Two Big Four representatives were 5in gauge live steam GWR No. 7812 Erlestoke Manor, although the model did not carry the name (£2800), and 3½in gauge live steam LNER V4 class 2-6-2 No. 3401 Bantam Cock (£1350). Between these two came a gaspowered radio-controlled trio all in 32mm scale, comprising an 0-4-4-0T named Kaiser (£1900), 2-6-2T Russell

(£1800), and 0-6-0T Joanna Grace

(£1500). Finally in the four-figure stakes was another gas-powered radio-controlled trio, this time from Accucraft UK in Gauge 1. At £1300 apiece were Manx Northern Railway 0-6-0T No. 4 Caledonia and Isle of Man Railway 2-4-0T No. 16 Mannin,

followed by another IoM Railway model, 2-4-0T No. 5 Mona (£1250). Prices exclude buyer’s premium of 22½% (+ VAT).